What to do if your gum bleed when you brush teeth
Did you know that if you have bleeding gums, it could be an indication of gingivitis? For many people, the first sign of gum disease comes in the form of bleeding gums during teeth brushing or flossing.
When this happens, it’s time to start thinking about your dental health and make some changes to ensure that you don’t develop further gum diseases or even more serious issues like tooth loss or serious infection. Below are a few things you can try to help stop the bleeding when brushing teeth.
Brush at least twice a day
The importance of brushing twice a day cannot be overstated. You must remove food debris, plaque and bacteria from your teeth or they will harden into tartar (which in turn will damage your gums).
A healthy diet and regular brushing can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Follow these tips: Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste—after every meal is even better.
Increase frequency if you smoke or drink alcohol, have dry mouth, eat sticky foods that get stuck between teeth, have orthodontic appliances like braces or are otherwise at high risk for dental problems.
Floss After Brushing
Flossing is an essential part of oral care and it is important for anyone who wants a healthy smile. It removes food, plaque, and bacteria that gets stuck between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Flossing after brushing means there are two times in one day that you are removing these items from below your gum line which is key in fighting against dental disease such as gingivitis.
Drink Water or Sugarless Beverages
When you’re dehydrated, your mouth might be extra sensitive—especially after a stint in front of that fan. Try drinking water or sugarless beverages with every meal and snack, since they’ll help keep your mouth hydrated. But don’t overdo it.
Eat Slowly, Chew Well
If you’re struggling with bleeding gums, it could be because of what and how much you’re eating. If you tend to eat more quickly or don’t chew food well enough before swallowing, these habits can lead to food getting caught in between your gums and other soft tissues around your mouth.
Over time, plaque builds up there too and can cause infection and inflammation in some cases—which is why bleeding gums are common among new dental patients.
Use an Electric Toothbrush
More and more people are starting to make a switch from manual toothbrushes to electric ones. Not only are they better for your overall oral health, but also for your gums. An electric toothbrush can remove plaque even in hard-to-reach areas, something that a manual can’t always accomplish.
While some brands are simply traditional models equipped with vibrating heads, other models have motion sensors which allow them to automatically turn on and off at different times during use. Make sure that you purchase one with soft bristles (sometimes described as pink), as these types of brushes don’t force bacteria against teeth and gums like traditional harder bristles tend to do.
Make Sure to Use the Proper Brushing Technique
Apart from trying an electric toothbrush, it’s also important that you’re brushing properly. Most people just go at it willy-nilly, even though there’s a right way and a wrong way to brush.
First, wet your toothbrush with warm water and hold it at a 45-degree angle against one of your front teeth. Now slowly move it back and forth across all four sides of each tooth (in what dentists call vertical strokes), being sure not to press too hard.
Ask your Dentist for Help
Our staff at Evergreen Dental will be happy to answer any questions and walk you through proper oral hygiene practices! We hope that these tips help you maintain healthy teeth and gum.
If your teeth keep bleeding while brushing or flossing after trying the above methods, you may want to schedule an appointment with your local dentist today. There could be more serious issues with your gum or teeth that only dentists can treat.
